Half a million travellers disrupted by Air Canada cabin crew strike

At least 500,000 passengers have had their peak summer travel plans disrupted since a walk out by Air Canada cabin crew on Saturday.

 

The estimated figure was released by the airline as flights continued to be cancelled until this afternoon (Tuesday) local time due to the strike by 10,000 flight attendants over pay.

 

An intended restart of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations was prevented yesterday by “unlawful strike activities”. 

 

“The airline now estimates 500,000 customers will be disrupted as a result,” Air Canada said.

 

All Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights remained suspended after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) failed to direct its flight attendant members to “resume the performance of their duties” as directed by the country’s industrial relations board. 

 

The CIRB has also called on flight attendants to return to work immediately.

 

However, union leaders said they would not obey the government’s back-to-work order and that they “won’t back down” until a fair deal has been reached for their members.

 

“The national officers CUPE and labour allies across the country are standing together in solidarity for the rights of flight attendants—and of all workers fighting for the respect they deserve,” the union said in a statement after a press conference in Toronto on Monday.

 

Air Canada has said it offered a 38% pay rise over four years and was willing to pay a 50% rate for dates performed before take-off.

 

The airline suspended its guidance for third quarter and full-year operating results on Monday, citing the labour disruption and the resulting suspension of all flights.

 

Flights have been cancelled on a rolling basis since the start of the strike on August 16. 

 

Air Canada Express services operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as normal.

 

The airline said: “Customers whose flights are cancelled are being notified of the cancellations and offered options that include a full refund, a future travel credit or rebooking on another airline. 

 

“Those whose flights are cancelled are strongly advised not to go to the airport, unless they have a confirmed booking on a flight by another carrier.”